Senior Counsel, Trade Finance — SVP

Citi; Tampa (FL); On-site; USD 169,000 - 254,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Global legal network

Professional development

Job summary

Citi in Tampa, FL is seeking a Senior Counsel, Trade Finance to provide legal coverage for Global Trade Supply Chain Finance and Trade/Working Capital Loans. You will serve as a trusted adviser to business units across a broad spectrum of trade finance products and structures, influencing how Citi executes complex cross-border transactions.

The role requires at least 8 years of secured lending and transactional experience, a NY Bar license, and the ability to coordinate with international teams.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of secured lending and transactional law experience at a major firm or financial institution.
• Knowledge of cross-border transactions and multi-jurisdictional structures.
• Familiarity with UCC and trade finance lending practices.
• Ability to draft, review, and negotiate complex documentation under tight deadlines.
• Strong analytical and organizational abilities with multitasking.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; ability to explain legal concepts to non-lawyers.
• Active Bar license in good standing in New York.

Responsibilities

• Advise business units on global trade finance transactions including facilities and securitizations.
• Review, draft, and negotiate trade finance documents to align with commercial terms.
• Counsel Citi units outside the U.S. on NY law matters related to trade finance.
• Coordinate with Regulatory, Compliance, Risk, Finance, and Tax for legal issues.
• Lead global projects, including digitization of trade finance processes.
• Coordinate cross-border matters with internal counsel abroad.
• Manage external counsel relationships for trade finance matters.

Skills

Cross-border transactions knowledge

UCC familiarity

Draft/negotiation of trade finance

Strong written and verbal comms

Bar license NY

Transactional lending experience

Global/multinational exposure

Job description

Citi is seeking a Senior Counsel, Trade Finance to join its Legal function in Florida, providing dedicated legal coverage for the Global Trade Supply Chain Finance and Trade/Working Capital Loans businesses. In this role, you will serve as a trusted legal adviser to business units across a broad spectrum of trade finance products and structures, directly influencing how Citi executes and manages complex cross-border transactions at a global scale. This is a high-impact opportunity for an experienced transactions attorney to operate at the intersection of global commerce, finance, and law within one of the world's leading financial institutions.

Responsibilities

• Advise business units across a wide range of global trade finance transactions, including bilateral and syndicated trade loan facilities, supply chain finance, distribution finance, accounts receivable finance, import and export finance, draft discounting, commodities finance, and securitizations.
• Review, draft, and negotiate transaction documentation for trade finance products, ensuring legal accuracy and alignment with agreed commercial terms.
• Counsel Citi business units, branches, subsidiaries, and affiliates outside the United States on applicable New York law matters relevant to their trade finance activities.
• Partner with internal control functions — including Regulatory, Compliance, Risk, Finance, and Tax — to assess and address legal issues affecting the Trade business.
• Lead and contribute to regional and global projects and initiatives, including the digitization of trade finance processes and documentation.
• Coordinate with Citi internal counsel located outside the United States on cross-border legal matters, ensuring consistent and well-managed global legal coverage.
• Manage external counsel relationships, overseeing the quality, scope, and efficiency of outside legal support on trade finance matters.

Required Qualifications & Skills

• 8 or more years of secured lending and transactional legal experience gained at a major law firm or financial institution.
• Deep knowledge of laws and practices governing cross-border transactions, including the legal implications of multi-jurisdictional structures.
• Familiarity with the Uniform Commercial Code and other laws and customary practices applicable to trade finance and lending businesses.
• Demonstrated ability to draft, review, and negotiate complex transaction documentation within demanding timelines.
• Strong analytical and organizational capability, with a track record of managing multiple complex matters simultaneously.
• Clear and precise written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex legal concepts to non-legal audiences.
• Bar license in good standing to practice law in the State of New York.

Beneficial Skills & Qualifications

• Direct experience advising on global trade finance transactions and trade finance products, including supply chain finance and working capital solutions.
• Background working with complex financing structures that involve third-party lenders or the use of special purpose entities.
• Exposure to digitization initiatives within trade finance or financial services more broadly.

What We Offer

At Citi, senior legal professionals work on matters of genuine global consequence, collaborating across businesses and geographies to deliver outcomes that shape how international trade and finance operate. This role offers strategic ownership, meaningful influence, and the platform of a truly global institution.

• A hybrid working model with 3 days in the office and 2 days working remotely, supporting effective balance between collaboration and focused work.
• Strategic ownership of a complex, high-profile legal portfolio covering global trade finance across multiple jurisdictions and product lines.
• Direct influence on business outcomes by advising senior stakeholders across global trading and working capital businesses.
• Access to global legal networks and cross-functional collaboration with Compliance, Risk, Finance, Tax, and Regulatory teams.
• Opportunities to lead and shape regional and global initiatives, including the evolution of digital trade finance practices.
• Competitive compensation and financial wellbeing benefits aligned to a senior legal professional at a leading global financial institution.
• Ongoing professional development through exposure to a broad spectrum of trade finance structures, markets, and international legal frameworks.

Job Family Group: Legal

Job Family: Legal - Product

Time Type: Full time

Primary Location: Tampa Florida United States

Primary Location Full Time Salary Range: $169,040.00 - $253,560.00

In addition to salary, Citi’s offerings may also include, for eligible employees, discretionary and formulaic incentive and retention awards. Citi offers competitive employee benefits, including: medical, dental & vision coverage; 401(k); life, accident, and disability insurance; and wellness programs. Citi also offers paid time off packages, including planned time off (vacation), unplanned time off (sick leave), and paid holidays. For additional information regarding Citi employee benefits, please visit citibenefits.com. Available offerings may vary by jurisdiction, job level, and date of hire.

Most Relevant Skills: Please see the requirements listed above.

Other Relevant Skills: For complementary skills, please see above and/or contact the recruiter.

Anticipated Posting Close Date:

Automated Processing and AI: We use automated processing, including artificial intelligence, for our legitimate business interests (or our reasonable and appropriate business purposes) to identify and align the candidate's skills and abilities with a specific job opening. Additionally, if you so choose, or consent, we can match your skills and abilities to other suitable roles at Citi. Importantly, all our hiring processes and decisions, including determining your suitability for a role, are conducted, checked, and decided by individuals. Our automated processing and AI do not involve relying on automatic or autonomous decision-making. Please refer to any Jurisdictional Considerations, with specific provisions for your country (where relevant) for further details. Illinois residents – AI Notice and Right

Citi is an equal opportunity employer, and qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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